Do you know what Search.hmyutilitybox.co is?
Search.hmyutilitybox.co is a browser hijacker that in one way or another, can take over Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Internet Explorer web browsers. The infection is directly linked to another suspicious piece that we have discussed already, My Utility Box. This extension was created to push the hijacker because, of course, no one would install it on purpose. The extension, however, is presented as this amazing tool that can offer various tools to help you on your day-to-day life, and it is likely that some users could be tricked into installing it without fully comprehending how it works. The reality is that the extension does nothing else but changes the browser’s settings to present the hijacker. On Chrome, it changes the New Tab, but on Firefox and Internet Explorer, it also can change the homepage and default search provider. If it is hard for you to understand why you should remove Search.hmyutilitybox.co, please continue reading.
According to our malware research team, the suspicious My Utility Box extension is most likely to be dropped along with third-party malware via unreliable installers. While the extension can be downloaded on its own via myutilitybox.co and the Chrome web store (chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/my-utility-box/cpooojldmhfkhfhmoacpdihfakglidbf), most victims are likely to let it in bundled with malware via unreliable file-sharing sites or presented using misleading pop-ups. Does malware exist along with the PUP (we classify the extension as a potentially unwanted program) and the hijacker? You can figure this out quickly using a legitimate malware scanner. Do not panic if malicious threats are found because you need a clear mind to be able to act fast. Delete all threats, and do not forget to erase the PUP/hijacker too. Although these “threats” are not really classified as security threats, there are several reasons why you should remove them from your operating system. First of all, you do not want them tracking your activity, and they will do that for as long as they are installed.
Are you happy with the easy-access links that Search.hmyutilitybox.co displays to provide you with Calculator, Notepad, Calendar, Translator, and Currency Converter utilities? The extension/hijacker cannot offer unique utilities, which means that the best it can do is offer easy-access links, and that is not a beneficial service, considering that links to these sites can be added to your bookmarks bar, and the hijacker loses its purpose. Of course, its main feature is the search tool, and some users might consider it to be highly useful. That is not the case. This hijacker redirects to Yahoo Search only to trick you into thinking that the service is trustworthy. Well, it is not because the results are modified by the hijacker to present sponsored content. Needless to say, trusting Search.hmyutilitybox.co is tricky and risky, which is why it is simply not recommended.
It takes only a few steps to delete Search.hmyutilitybox.co, and that is because this hijacker is directly linked to the My Utility Box extension. Delete it, and the hijacker will be erased automatically. Of course, because the extension is installed as an application for Internet Explorer users, the instructions are a little different in this case. Just pick the browser that the PUP was installed onto, and follow the steps one by one. Note that if multiple threats exist, you will have to find appropriate removal guides for these threats too, or you can install an anti-malware program to have all of them eliminated automatically. If you have questions about the process, do not hesitate to ask them via the comments box.
Remove Search.hmyutilitybox.co
Mozilla Firefox
- Open the browser and tap keys Alt+T.
- Select Add-ons to open the Extensions menu.
- Remove the My Utility Box extension.
Google Chrome
- Open the browser and tap keys Alt+F.
- Select More tools and then Extensions.
- Click the recycle bin next to My Utility Box and click Remove.
Internet Explorer
- Open the Windows Start menu and click Control Panel.
- Go to Uninstall a program/Add or Remove Programs.
- Uninstall/Remove the application representing My Utility Box.
In non-techie terms:
Search.hmyutilitybox.co is a search tool that accompanies the My Utility Box extension. This extension is compatible with Chrome, Firefox, and IE web browsers, and its only task is to hijack them to represent the suspicious search tool. It cannot be trusted because it modifies the results that are shown via Yahoo Search, and you are redirected to this engine without permission as well. On top of all that, the extension is not very useful because it only shows easy-access links at the top of the hijacker’s page to offer you access to third-party utilities, something that it is meant to offer itself. Without a doubt, removal is recommended, and you can delete Search.hmyutilitybox.co following the instructions presented above. If other threats exist, using anti-malware software to clean your operating system is recommended.